Kucherov is inevitably drawing interest from most teams around the league, and the Red Wings could turn what has been a stressful situation with Larkin into an opportunity to chase the reigning NHL MVP.

Still, speaking about the matter on his podcast, NHL insider Chris Johnston suggested Red Wings fans to manage their expectations on a potential deal for Kucherov.

“Red Wings make sense because of their whole Larkin, (Simon) Edvinsson situation; some discussion about, do they trade both to Tampa as part of a deal… I’m not convinced the Red Wings make sense… [for Kucherov],” Johnston said on his Chris Johnston Show.

Kucherov seems to be done with Tampa Bay

Entering the final year of his eight-year, $76 million deal with the Bolts, Kucherov submitted a trade request last week after feeling disrespected by the front office.

“It was never about the money for me,” Kucherov told reporters after practice on Monday. “More about poor communication and respect. Over the last four months, we only have had two conversations and Julien, in the end, made it clear that I’m free to walk on July 1.”

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said the organization has “no intention” of trading Kucherov, and the 33-year-old will continue suiting up for the team regardless. For now, this situation hasn’t escalated like that of Larkin, who has been suspended without pay by the Red Wings as he waits for a trade.

Everyone wants Kucherov

However, the latest updates on Kucherov suggest that the Lightning are in a tough spot as the two-time Stanley Cup champion has made up his mind and wants a fresh start.

The Red Wings face a challenging scenario to win the battle for Kucherov, who’s drawn interest from pretty much the entire league. “Some teams may lie to you, but 31 teams will want 86,” an unnamed NHL GM told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

Key takeaways

• Nikita Kucherov requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Chris Johnston is not convinced the Detroit Red Wings make sense for Nikita Kucherov.
• An eight-year, $76 million deal for Nikita Kucherov is in its final season.

“I think that Kucherov has made his decision and I don’t think that Julien BriseBois as general manager is going to be able to sway him from that,” Darren Dreger reported on First Up.

Kucherov’s trade request has obviously raised eyebrows around the league, with multiple teams suddenly emerging as potential suitors. One of them might be the Montreal Canadiens due to an existing connection.

Canadiens might be an option for Kucherov

“Coach Martin St. Louis’ relationship with Kucherov cannot be ignored,” Pierre LeBrun wrote on The Athletic. “And the Canadiens are a rising contender in a market that would appeal to Kucherov. They would probably enter the derby if invited.”

St. Louis overlapped with Kucherov in the first half of the 2013-14 NHL season, with the latter making his first steps in the league before St. Louis submitted a trade request that allowed him to finish his career with the NY Rangers.

The Broadway Blueshirts are now among the teams linked to Kucherov, but St. Martin could stand in their way.

Canadiens would have to persuade Lightning

However, LeBrun notes that the Habs might have more chances to land Kucherov at the end of the season, when the star hits free agency.

“But when it comes to Toronto and Montreal, I think we’re talking July 1 and not so much Tampa Bay being willing to move him within the division via an in-season trade.”

While not impossible, the Canadiens might need to come up with a very compelling offer to convince the Lightning to send their star to a division rival. Even though Kucherov is worth the wait, the Habs can’t risk staying put until July 1. After all, Kucherov made it clear he wants out now, and no one will want to pass on that.

Key takeaways

• Nikita Kucherov has decided to seek a trade out of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Montreal Canadiens are potential Nikita Kucherov suitors due to Coach Martin St. Louis.
• July 1 is the likeliest timeline for the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Nikita Kucherov.

Tampa Bay enters the contest after a difficult stretch of attention surrounding Nikita Kucherov, whose trade request has put the organization in an unexpected position. The Russian superstar is in the final year of his contract.

Meanwhile, Detroit is navigating its own roster dispute after Dylan Larkin‘s offseason trade request escalated into a public disagreement with the franchise. Beyond the headlines, today’s game is an important early divisional test.

Is Nikita Kucherov playing today against the Red Wings?

Nikita Kucherov is expected to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning against Detroit. The Russian forward appears on Tampa Bay’s projected first line alongside Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point, according to the team’s latest lineup information.

He has recorded 18 points this season and remains one of the most important pieces of Jon Cooper’s offense. His availability also comes amid uncertainty about his future in Tampa Bay.

He requested a trade over the weekend, citing poor communication and a lack of respect in his discussions with general manager Julien BriseBois. However, BriseBois has indicated that the Lightning do not intend to trade him, while Cooper has emphasized the forward’s commitment to the team.

Is Dylan Larkin playing today against the Lightning?

Dylan Larkin will not play for the Detroit Red Wings because he remains suspended without pay. The organization took that measure after the forward informed management that he no longer intended to play for the franchise, following his offseason trade request.

The situation escalated after Detroit removed Larkin’s captaincy ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 30-year-old center had recorded six points (two goals and four assists) in 10 games before his suspension.

Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff confirmed that the organization would continue exploring trade opportunities, meaning his return to the lineup depends on a resolution between the player and the Red Wings.

When is Red Wings vs. Lightning?

The Detroit Red Wings face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM MT and 4:00 PM PT).

Fans in the United States can watch the game on ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select. The matchup will also be available to stream on Fubo.

Key takeaways

• Nikita Kucherov requested a trade from Tampa Bay over communication issues with management.
• Nikita Kucherov is expected to play for Tampa Bay on the first line.
• Dylan Larkin will not play for the Detroit Red Wings because of a suspension.

The Lightning have made it clear they don’t intend to trade Kucherov, regardless of his request. They may actually prefer to let him walk in free agency and get one last dance out of him rather than give up on him early in the NHL campaign and be left with the sour taste of what could have been.

According to a report, that’s exactly what Tampa Bay has in mind. The Bolts appear determined to roll with Kucherov until the wheels come off. If they get another Stanley Cup out of the experiment, it will be well worth losing the two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner to free agency.

“Let’s see how Tampa does throughout the season and then go from there,” David Pagnotta reported on the Daily Faceoff Toronto podcast. “If the Lightning are a Stanley Cup contender, they may say, ‘Screw it, we’re just going to hold on to Kucherov. We’re going to give it one more ride. If we win, amazing, he can ride off into the sunset. If we don’t win, well, we gave it a shot with one of the best players in the league.‘”

Lightning could be making right call

It makes sense why the Lightning would want to go down that route. In any other scenario, the Bolts could get a king’s ransom in return for Kucherov. However, with the trade request going public and Kucherov doubling down on it, the Lightning have lost much of their leverage. Not to mention that Kucherov is a pending UFA in the NHL.

Until the clock really starts ticking toward the trade deadline, the Lightning can take their time and see how they fare against their NHL competitors. If they are in no position to compete come March, then sure, they will trade Kucherov for whatever they can get in return and accept that the season is over. But if they are well within reach of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it might be wiser to stick with the Russian veteran winger.

Could Kucherov sit out to force a trade?

There’s a risk that Kucherov may dig in his heels and hold out of team activities to force a trade, but that seems unlikely. Based on all accounts from people close to the situation in The Big Guava, Kucherov has no problem with the coaching staff or his teammates.

He has only decided that he’s had enough of the front office and won’t re-sign with the team, but he may still be on board to complete the 2026-27 NHL season in Tampa and then ride off into the sunset in free agency.

That’s the way things are looking, and it’s why the most logical outcome right now appears to be that Kucherov will leave the Bolts through free agency rather than via a trade—at least as long as the Lightning remain in the postseason race. If things go south, then Kucherov may actually be traded.

Kucherov hitting free agency wouldn’t be terrible for suitors

This update on Kucherov’s trade market may not change much for potential suitors like the Rangers and Blackhawks, who were also mentioned by Pagnotta. “I’ve got to imagine the Rangers and Blackhawks, two teams that would probably be in pursuit. If they are on his list,” Pagnotta said about Kucherov’s suitors.

Whoever trades for Kucherov would have to (a) be on Kucherov’s 10-team trade list and (b) figure out a way to extend him, as he’s in the final year of his contract. Thus, if he indeed heads to free agency, it won’t actually change much and may even be better for suitors, as they would only have to commit money to him without giving up any assets in the process.

Market around Kucherov

With the salary cap going up again before next season and Kucherov’s recent admission that money isn’t what’s driving his trade request, him hitting free agency could actually make for a fair competition in which he truly is up for grabs to the best suitor.

Teams like the Rangers and Blackhawks, which are ready to make a splash and compete again, could emerge as frontrunners. The Red Wings, however, may have a better shot at Kucherov through a trade with the Lightning by playing their Larkin card.

Key takeaways

• No intention to trade Nikita Kucherov was expressed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• “Give it one more ride,” David Pagnotta reported regarding Tampa Bay’s plans for Nikita Kucherov.
• A 10-team trade list governs any potential trade destination for winger Nikita Kucherov.

“Someone said to me the other day that he could actually see, from a pure hockey point of view: a Dylan Larkin for Nikita Kucherov deal,” Elliotte Friedman stated on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

It remains to be seen if that’s actually a trade likely to be accepted by both the Red Wings and Lightning, though. On paper, Detroit would be getting more in a one-for-one Larkin-for-Kucherov trade. However, the Bolts, who are on Larkin’s trade list, could accept the deal if they sense it’s the best they can get for Kucherov.

While Larkin could complicate the Red Wings’ trade options by changing his trade list, there’s little reason to believe the Lightning would be among the teams taken off the list.

Different situations for Red Wings and Lightning

Unlike the Wings, the Lightning don’t have any leverage, as Kucherov is a pending UFA in the NHL, and the Bolts are now forced to trade him before the deadline or lose him in free agency. It’s become increasingly clear that the veteran Russian winger no longer sees a future in The Big Guava.

As for the Red Wings, they can’t stress enough that they want an immediate replacement in return for Larkin, whom they have no interest in trading and have no obligation to move in the short-term future. However, if Kucherov suddenly becomes available to them, they may not resist throwing their asking price out the window and adding the reigning league MVP to their lineup.

Would Kucherov accept trade to Lightning?

Whether Kucherov actually wants to move to Detroit, though, is a different question. Kucherov has a modified no-trade clause with a 10-team trade list.

Considering the Red Wings hold the longest active playoff drought in the NHL and haven’t looked exactly like Stanley Cup contenders, it’s hard to imagine Kucherov leaving the Bolts for them. Crazier things have happened, though.

Unlike Larkin, whose trade list has been reported, speculated on, and mentioned tirelessly, not many details have emerged about Kucherov’s list. What Kucherov has disclosed, however, is that his relationship with the Lightning has gone past the point of no return.

Kucherov calls out Tampa Bay’s front office

“It was never about the money for me. It was more about poor communication and respect,” Kucherov commented on what led to him requesting a trade, via Diandra Loux on X. “Over the last four months, we have only had two conversations. [General manager] Julien [BriseBois] in the end made it clear I’m free to walk on July 1st.”

Kucherov’s revelation is very telling. Over the past few days, a lot has been reported about the rift between Kucherov and the Lightning. The two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and three-time Art Ross Trophy winner has reportedly turned down extension offers worth around $13-15 million in average annual value (AAV).

However, he’s now said it wasn’t the money he turned down, but rather the disrespect from the organization he’s called home throughout his entire NHL career, helped hoist two Stanley Cups with, and recorded 405 goals, 737 assists, and 1,142 points for.

Key takeaways

• A Dylan Larkin for Nikita Kucherov trade was proposed by Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts.
• A 10-team trade list is included in Nikita Kucherov’s modified no-trade clause.
• “Poor communication and respect” prompted Nikita Kucherov to request a trade from Tampa Bay.

For the time being, it’s all very fresh regarding Kucherov’s trade request and his potential next destination in the NHL. Thus, it’s unclear whether New York is a candidate Kucherov is giving serious thought to. At the end of the day, the veteran winger and his modified no-trade clause have the final say.

“I really do wonder about the Rangers. Whether the Rangers are on his list, I don’t know,” David Pagnotta said on the Daily Faceoff Insider podcast.

If the Rangers indeed aren’t on Kucherov’s trade list, though, that would be all she wrote for their trade aspirations. New York could come up with an offer the Lightning can get behind, but it would all be in vain unless Kucherov signs off and gives the Broadway Blueshirts the green light.

Kucherov’s contract situation

Kucherov is playing out the final season of his eight-year, $76 million contract in Tampa Bay and has made it clear he doesn’t wish to extend his stay in The Big Guava. The Lightning don’t want to trade their best player but may have no other choice.

Not only could Kucherov lose his patience and decide to hold out until he’s traded, but he would also become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer, meaning the Lightning would either have to trade him or most likely lose him in free agency.

However, with Kucherov’s request going public, it’s not as if Tampa Bay has much leverage and could miss out on what would otherwise be a monstrous return for one of the best scorers in the sport.

Trade-and-sign scenario

Acquiring Kucherov is only half of the job, though—and the relatively easy part. Re-signing him is the toughest part, and an aspect that may put teams like the Rangers out of the running. Kucherov is after a top-of-the-market new deal and has reportedly passed on $13-15 million AAV offers from the Bolts.

New York currently only has $4.4 million available in cap space, so even fitting Kucherov’s $9.5 million cap hit for the remainder of the 2026-27 NHL campaign could be a bit tricky.

However, with the salary cap expected to rise ahead of next season, the Blueshirts might have the resources to re-sign a player like Nikita. Whether they actually have interest in going after and committing to the 33-year-old Russian winger is a different question, but it’s undeniable that New York could use some more firepower, and there is no one with Kucherov’s resume available for trade.

Key takeaways

• Nikita Kucherov requested a trade out of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Nikita Kucherov is on last season of eight-year, $76 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• The New York Rangers have $4.4 million in available salary cap space.

Still, there may finally be progress. After months of slow-moving business and refreshing his inbox only to see everything stay the same, Laine may actually be getting interest from teams across the NHL. A report at least suggests that four teams are showing interest.

Namely, and in no particular order, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning. This is according to Ottawa Citizen reporter Bruce Garrioch, who also hinted that the Ottawa Senators looked into Laine but that it may only be a false alarm.

Maple Leafs and Panthers seem favorites

The Maple Leafs have long been linked to Laine. So much so that a trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buds stopped sounding like a crazy thing to happen in the NHL. That’s how much the Leafs were rumored to be testing the waters around Laine.

Still, for whatever reason, a trade involving Laine between the eternal Canadian foes never happened. Laine’s contract has expired, and he is now up for grabs. Toronto doesn’t have much to lose, so it could be the perfect opportunity.

As for the Panthers, we’ve talked about how great a fit the two are countless times and why it makes sense on virtually every front. The fact that Florida is set to miss Brad Marchand for some time only makes Laine an even more appealing solution.

Question marks around Laine

Every team is aware of what a healthy Laine can bring to the ice. Toronto, Florida, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and even those franchises that haven’t expressed interest know what he is capable of. However, the real dilemma is how much an NHL organization might be willing to pay and commit, and whether the once 40-plus-goal scorer will accept it.

Laine running out of options

Running out of time in the hourglass, Laine may have no option but to sign a professional tryout deal (PTO). There doesn’t seem to be a bidder with a better offer, at least not in North America. It’s either that or traveling across the Atlantic to the Old World.

Laine is still relatively young, so a strong season in Europe could land him back in the NHL, but it remains a risky gamble. Oftentimes, there is no coming back, and a year out of the league doesn’t always pan out.

“I still want to continue to play,” Perry admitted recently to The Athletic. “Somebody said they’ll have to cut the skates off me before I leave this game. “Just love the day-to-day being around. It’s fun.“

Hopefully it doesn’t come down to such an extreme ending. The Tampa Bay Lightning‘s first-round elimination against the Montreal Canadiens may only make Perry hungrier. If Perry indeed returns in 2026-27, it will be his 22nd NHL season of his career.

Perry’s contract

Signed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Perry will see his current deal expire on July 1. Immediately after, he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the NHL.

Fortunately, this isn’t Perry’s first rodeo. He has been here before and has grown accustomed to short summers with deep postseason runs and almost no time to make a decision on his future.

This time, the run wasn’t as deep, and he will have more time to make up his mind. One thing seems clear, though, and that is that Perry wants to be back for the 2026–27 campaign.

Perry’s Stanley Cup history

It’s probably the most known fact around Perry’s postseason career. The veteran has been in the losing end of the Stanley Cup Final in five of the last six NHL seasons. This time around, Perry aimed to redeem himself with the Bolts in 2025–26, whom he joined at the deadline after being traded from the Los Angeles Kings. However, Montreal had other plans, and the 2-1 defeat in Game 7 put an end to Perry’s quest. It may only be momentarily, though, as Perry is already eyeing next season.

At the end of the day, Perry was eliminated in the first round just like the Kings, though Tampa Bay lost by one goal in Game 7, whereas Los Angeles was swept. Still, only one team wins the Cup every year, and unfortunately for Perry, he won’t be hoisting the Cup that has been elusive to him since his sophomore campaign in 2007.

Still, all signs indicate he will be back for redemption next season. Whether it’s back in Tampa, Edmonton, Anaheim, or somewhere else, Perry will bring his A-game, even at 41 years old.

“The defenseman is skating. It’s another step forward. Return to play still undetermined,” the Canadiens stated on their update on Dobson, via Anthony Martineau on X.

Fans in Montreal remained hopeful Dobson could be back in the lineup for Game 5 of the first-round series against Tampa Bay. Dobson made noise early on Tuesday as he skated by himself—and was later joined by Mike Matheson—prior to the team’s practice in Quebec before traveling to Florida. However, it looks like he won’t be able to play as the Habs vie for a 3-2 series lead on the road.

Canadiens confirm players’ status

As reported by Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed both Juraj Slafkovsky and Josh Anderson will play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Lightning. However, St. Louis provided no update on Dobson, who has yet to make his return to the lineup. Moreover, the former New York Islanders blueliner has yet to join the rest of the group in a team practice.

Though reports suggested the Canadiens could have Dobson back for the series against the Lightning, him missing the entire first round remains plausible. As Montreal said in its statement, Dobson is showing progress, but he is still not quite there yet to be cleared and reactivated. All signs indicate the 26-year-old defenseman is on track to miss his seventh straight outing in the 2025-26 NHL season for the Habs.

What happened to Dobson?

Dobson’s last appearance was on April 11, during Montreal’s regular-season defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dobson was in pain after blocking a shot with his left hand and hasn’t played since for the Habs.

At first, Montreal thought it had things under control even without him available. However, the Bolts are now putting the Habs against the ropes, and the latter have realized just how important having Dobson in the lineup is for them. The Canadiens hope to have him back as soon as possible. If not, it might be too late.

“It was one play, it was only one play,” Martin St. Louis said on Dach’s mistake in overtime, via The Hockey News. “[Dach] brings physicality. For me, in the last two weeks, he has played with a lot of combativity.“

Prior to Moser’s overtime, game-winning goal, Dach sent a pass the length of the rink, icing the puck. With tired bodies on the ice, the Lightning gained possession off the draw, and Moser cashed in. Habs fans didn’t take it lightly. Following harsh backlash online, Dach deactivated his social media accounts.

Once again, the Canadiens’ fanbase proved it is among the most passionate in the NHL, but it can often cross the line between passion and madness.

Canadiens suffer rough loss in Game 2

The Montreal Canadiens came just inches away from taking a 2-0 series lead as Lane Hutson hit the post with less than a minute left in regulation. Immediately after, the ice at Benchmark International Arena tilted. From that moment on, it was all Tampa Bay Lightning in the extra period. Montreal was put up against the wall by Tampa Bay.

The Habs recorded no shots on goal in 12:48 minutes of overtime, and it was the Bolts’ ninth shot that finally beat Jakub Dobes and tied the series at one game apiece. That was all she wrote for the Canadiens in their second visit to the Big Guava. The series is even as it heads to Quebec’s metropolis.

Canadiens fans used Dach as scapegoat

Indeed, Dach’s icing was costly, but it’s far from the main reason why the Habs lost the game. They were unable to create anything, and the Bolts ran circles around them in overtime. As the Canadiens return home to The City of Saints, it remains to be seen how the capacity crowd at Bell Centre will greet Dach.

Perhaps, Martin St. Louis takes him out of the lineup. St. Louis has won virtually every trophy during his playing career, but he’s learned even more valuable lessons—one of them being to never air dirty laundry in public.

Lightning vs Canadiens: Series schedule

• Game 3: Lightning at Canadiens (April 24)
• Game 4: Lightning at Canadiens (April 26)
• Game 5: Canadiens at Lightning (April 29)
• Game 6: Lightning at Canadiens (May 1)*
• Game 7: Canadiens at Lightning (May 3)*

*If needed

“[The Lightning] are a team that we’ve definitely been trying to get to,” Caufield said in a powerful statement after the game, via NHL.com. “We’ve been building. It’s obviously a good feeling, but we’re still hungry for more.”

Following the 4-1 victory at Benchmark International Arena, the Canadiens are still third in the Atlantic Division, but have cut down Tampa Bay‘s lead over them to just two points. Though still pressured by the Boston Bruins (currently WC1) with 94 points, the Habs’ 96 points put them in great position to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Wins like Tuesday night’s over the Bolts show the rest of the league that Montreal is for real, and a menace come playoff time in the NHL. This could be the year the Canadiens snap Canada’s Cup drought, and hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1993.

Caufield’s numbers

Cole Caufield has earned the nickname “Mr. Saturday Night” thanks to his perfect blend of consistency and, as kids these days call it, aura during the 2025–26 NHL season. As it stands, Caufield has scored 20 goals in 21 Saturday night outings this campaign, as reported by Montreal Gazette.

However, Caufield could very well be called “Mr. Tuesday Night” or any other day, for that matter. He’s been that good all season long—every day of the week. Thus, it’s not surprising he is second in the league in goals with 47, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon’s 49.

Caufield leads Montreal’s Cup dream

Caufield is putting on a show night in and night out for the Canadiens. With him in such form, fans in Quebec’s metropolis can let their dreams run wild and free. The sky is the limit in the City of Saints, and the Habs aren’t afraid to aim for the stars and shoot for the moon.